Big and Small : The heart of music ministry leaders

The past decade of local church ministry has taught me that big and small churches face similar problems, but for entirely different reasons. One example of this is the failure to address vocalists or musicians who have great talent, but a terrible heart condition (or even worse, theological beliefs as structured as a bowl of pudding).

Small churches have difficulty with this because they consider themselves to be a "small gene pool" and are nervous that if certain heart issues are addressed, that the volunteer may leave, which will lead to the overall disintegration of the music ministry. I have known destructive people that have held a vice-like grip on a church ministry simply because the leadership didn't address the issue for fear that the ministry would be destroyed.

Larger churches have this difficulty because they are under enormous pressure to perform and thus the need to recruit top talent to perform for the large group often overrides the value placed on the heart condition of a single individual. I have known megachurches that have put non-christians on their platform, to lead the congregation in worship, simply because they are talented individuals. Talk about a total failure of the heart! How can someone lead the people of God, to offer their praise to God, as an enemy of God? That would be equivalent to a member of a terrorist organization leading American troops into battle against their own terrorist organization!

The most important characteristic of any musician, of any Christian, is his/her heart toward God. Human beings usually see and hear the external only, which is usually very polished. However, the Bible is clear that God looks at the heart.

It is my prayer that every church, both big and small, will not position leaders based on talent, but rather on a heart for God and a dedication to the truth of God's Word.

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart."
~1 Samuel 16:7

Pretty, Superficial Preachers

As I prepare to preach my third sermon at Calvary Baptist Church tomorrow, this excerpt from John Wesley continues resonating in my mind.

It is a letter that Wesley wrote to a young minister, who was a poor preacher. Wesley argued that the daily reading of Scripture is the most necessary condition for improved preaching.

"What has exceedingly hurt you in time past, nay, and I fear, to this day, is lack of reading. I scarce ever knew a preacher who read so little. And perhaps, by neglecting it, you have lost the taste for it.

Hence your talent in preaching does not increase. It is just the same as it was seven years ago. It is lively, but not deep; there is little variety; there is no compass of thought.

Reading only can supply this, with meditation and daily prayer. You wrong yourself greatly by omitting this. You can never be a deep preacher without it, any more than a thorough Christian.

Oh begin! Fix some part of every day for private exercise. You may acquire the taste which you have not; what is tedious at first will afterward be pleasant.

Whether you like it or not, read and pray daily. It is for your life; there is no other way; else you will be a trifler all your days, and a pretty, superficial preacher.

Do justice to your own soul; give it time and means to grow. Do not starve yourself any longer. Take up the cross and be a Christian altogether.

Then will all the children of God rejoice (not grieve) over you, and in particular yours."

"Letter to a Friend," The Works of the Rev. John Wesley (London, 1813), 49.

Killer Dams

In 2011, the largest dam removal in U.S. history began on the Elwha River in Washington State.

This is incredibly surprising, especially since both of the dams were hydroelectric power stations, which provided much needed natural energy to surrounding communities. It took over 3 years to complete the project, and was deemed a success by local citizens and conservationists. This dam existed for nearly 100 years but ended up doing much more harm than good.

It is amazing to me how a well-meaning dam can destroy so much life. Although the water was able to be controlled, the net effect of killing almost every type of fish species, nearly destroyed the region's ecosystem.

These "Control Dams" are often constructed in churches; unfortunately with great intent, cost, and purpose. Yet these tools, systems, or rules put in place to HELP, as time passes, become obstacles that HURT. Life is snuffed out, generations of fish (Jesus would use this analogy too) are often lost to concrete structures that will endure long after those who created them have passed on.

Many dams are incredibly helpful and necessary. Distinguishing between a life-giving structure and life-taking structure is not by reviewing their intended purposes, because every dam is built for a noble cause. Rather, we should probably stop staring at the impressive colossal formations we built 20 years ago and analyze the effects of these structures. In other words... let's get downstream and see how the fish are doing.

Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:18-19

God Always Has a 2nd Tow Truck

As I was driving to MC3 this morning, I noticed a most unusual sight: A police car, being towed by a tow truck, that was being towed by a tow truck.  As confusing as it sounds, it was even more confusing to witness.  I turned the corner, and then realized that this opportunity was too good to pass up, so I made a quick u-turn and snapped this photo:

As comical as this may look, it reminded me of two things:

1.  Those who help others will, at times, need help themselves.  The longer I work in ministry, the more I realize the value of tending my own spiritual health.  This happens with scheduled times of rest and by allowing others to speak words of encouragement, affirmation, and reproof into my life.  May I never be too proud to utter the phrase, "I'm in over my head!", "I need help!", or "I don't know what to do!"

2.  No matter how bad things may be, there is always a rescue.  When your life falls apart and you can't give anymore (police car) and your go-to-solution fails (1st tow truck), it is easy to forget that the God we serve is the same God who rescued the Israelites by splitting a SEA in half when they were surrounded by Pharaoh's army.   God always has a 2nd tow truck waiting in the wings.  God is always at work around us.

You have an enemy that wants you dead; but take heart, believer, for our God is greater!

And He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while."  For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.
~Mark 6:31

"Even to your old age and grey hairs, I am He; I am He who will sustain you.  I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you."
~Isaiah 46:4

Wind Changes Everything

Wind can change a lot of things.  This past weekend high winds created whiteout conditions which resulted in many changed plans.  My family had to scrap our arrangements to attend a children's concert in St. Joe.  Our church cancelled weekend services.  Cars in the ditch, emergency teams and road crews in turmoil, travel bans across all five counties, and to top it off, my wife and I had to call off our Valentine's Day reservations and hunker down in our home.

All of this from a 45 mph wind.

After this weekend, you would be hard pressed to find someone in Michiana who would say "Nah, the wind doesn't affect my life."

Would we be as hard pressed to find members in the church who excitedly proclaim, "The Spirit of God has transformed my life and affects everything I do!"

In light of this, here is my prayer:

God, I want your Holy Spirit to move across GCC, to move through your church, in a mighty way.  I desire that your name be lifted high across Michiana; so that it is unmistakable, undeniable, the power of your glory.  I ask God, that you would change all of my plans to obediently follow the moving of your Spirit.  Let every part of my life be directed by the eternally strong breeze of your still, small voice.  Bring us to know your power.  We wait expectantly for the blizzard of our souls.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

The wind blows wherever it pleases.  You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going.  So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.

~John 3:8